Harrison Making His Mark in Atlanta
Ryan Harrison’s leap into the top 100 this week at No. 94 is to be expected. He’s long proven to hold the talent necessary to reach that level. His recent semifinal foray into the league of the big boys in Atlanta, where he set up a meeting with top ranked American Mardy Fish, sends a clear message regarding the possibilities his future holds. Of course, Harrison has a ways to go before the praise can be slathered on. His straight sets loss to Fish speaks to just that.
Having claimed his first tour doubles title earlier this year at Newport, it’s time for Harrison to step up in singles like Bernard Tomic did at Wimbledon earlier this summer at the Grand Slam level. He’s proven he can, making it to the fourth round at Indian Wells, which is widely considered the fifth major tournament in the world.
But the Grand Slams are called such and held in especially high esteem for a reason. That’s where Harrison needs to display his worth to be taken as a serious contender on the ATP level and to be appointed the United States’ next big hope — if that’s even a title a young up-and-comer wants to bear.
Regardless, if Harrison can better last year’s second round showing at the US Open, he’ll be golden given the crowd’s overwhelming support in his favor. No doubt he has the game and the belief, now it’s just a question of transferring that confidence to results on the big stages.
Excerpt of ‘My Tennis-Filled Summer in Pictures’
I recently wrote about my experiences this summer interning for two tennis organizations. Read below for an excerpt.
This summer has been pretty fantastic, especially from the point-of-view of my budding media career in journalism and, especially, tennis journalism. The best part: it’s hardly halfway over! I think the photo above captures this excitement, while showcasing a look of pure joy from tennis legend Chris Evert.
I’ve had the opportunity to write and blog for two amazing sites, www.TENNIS.com and WTT.com, as well as do work with content management for both. By working with a set of really talented editors and co-workers, my knowledge of the industry is drastically.
To read this post in its entirety, click here.
Wimbledon Final Live Blogging: Maria Sharapova Against Petra Kvitova
Maria Sharapova takes on Petra Kvitova in the finals. Below is live blogging from the match.
10:38 AM: With an ace (her only one of the match), Petra Kvitova becomes a Wimbledon champion. She defeated Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 in a brilliant display of shot-making and steady nerves.
10:35 AM: In a routine hold, Sharapova brings the score to 4-5. It’s time for Kvitova to serve for the championship.
10: 33 AM: Kvitova comes back from being down 15-30 to take the game, 5-3. Now the pressure’s all on Sharapova to hold serve.
10:29 AM: Well, she couldn’t handle holding serve. Kvitova broke again and the finish line is in sight. It’s 4-3 now.
10:24 AM: Sharapova’s gaining some momentum back. She broke Kvitova to even the match again at 3-all. How will she handle the serve?
10: 17 AM: It’s all about Kvitova in this match; she’s completely dictating play in an echo of the way Sharapova dominated Serena Williams back in ’04, according to the NBC commentators. I completely agree. Kvitova broke the Russian to lead 3-2.
10:07 AM: Sharapova lofts a beautiful lob over Kvitova to level the second set at 2-all.
10:01 AM: Kvitova’s rolling in the second. She broke Sharapova to start after the Russian hit her fifth double fault. The Czech then held serve to make the score 2-0.
9:51 AM: With a definitive 40-0 game, Kvitova takes the opening set 6-3.
9:50 AM: Sharapova successfully held, but Kvitova’s just two points from taking the first set.
9:40 AM: Kvitova’s getting sharper as the match continues. She backed up the break of Sharapova’s serve with a strong hold. The Czech’s now leading 5-2.
9:38 AM: Sharapova hits her third double fault on match point to give Kvitova the break.
9:37 AM: Uh, oh. Sharapova strikes her second double fault, giving Kvitova the chance to break.
9:34 AM: Kvitova holds serve despite a number of errors. Wow, this isn’t going to be much of a clean match, is it?
9:30 AM: With a little luck from a net cord, Sharapova successfully defends her serve to level the match at 2-all. The 2004 champion is still looking a little too streaky.
9:24 AM: It’s now 2-1 Kvitova after the Czech answered Sharapova’s blasting returns with huge lefty forehands of her own. Can she keep the momentum going and break Sharapova’s serve for a second time to race to a 3-1 lead?
9:21 AM: Sharapova’s battled back to deuce on Kvitova’s serve.
9:17 AM: Kvitova breaks right back with the help of some Sharapova mishits.
9:15 AM: Kvitova races to a quick 40-0 lead on Sharapova’s serve after the Russian hit some errors.
9:14 AM: Maria’s choice to receive worked out well. The Russian started her bid for a second Wimbledon title by breaking Kvitova’s big lefty serve.
9:13: AM: Break point for Sharapova. Let’s see if she can convert.
9:11 AM: Already some errors creeping into the Kvitova game. Sharapova’s up 30-0 on Kvitova’s serve. Can the Czech shake off the nerves?
9:09 AM: The match is about to begin. Petra Kvitova will serve first although Sharapova won the toss. This should be a good match for the two; their games match up well. Watch out for the serve for both.
